Good year for pears at Origine Group

Winter fruit: 2015/16 was a rather good year for pears. Kiwis did not do as well but, despite this, Origine Group can be rather pleased with its first year.

"Quality was rewarded, those who managed to grow good grades and good quality did well. Though this was not always possible due to the weather," explains Ilenio Bastoni, President of Origine Group.

Origine Group's Sweeki kiwis.

Pears are sold under the "Pera Italia" brand, while kiwis are sold under the "Sweeki" brand. The produce is managed by single partners and is then sold in Europe and overseas in aggregated form and with a specific packaging. Common strategies exist also for the domestic market, but usually each producer has its own packaging.

Good returns for high-quality pears

No second or third-level structures were created - Origine works thanks to existing company employees, thus minimising costs.

"Next year, we will also promote Pgi Abate pears in France, where consumers are quite responsive to marks. In Spain, we are looking to promote green and golden kiwis," reports Bastoni (in the photo).

Pallets of Sweeki kiwis.

In addition, 30 hectares of red kiwis will be planted in autumn. "We are aiming at selling at least 100 containers on the Asian markets, which are a good outlet for winter fruit," adds CEO Alberto Garbuglia (in the photo).

"During our first year, we handled 220 thousand tons of produce (85 thousand tons of pears and 135 thousand tons of kiwis). These volumes exceeded our expectations and producers were happy with their returns as well."

Origine Group is a consortium created from the alliance of Afe, Apofruit, FruttaC2, Granfrutta Zani, Kiwi Uno, OP Kiwi Sole, Pempacorer, Salvi-Unacoa, Spreafico. "Of course we are willing to cooperate with new partners who share our principles and operating methods."

"Origine is a flexible and efficient organisation gathering companies looking to work on the global market while promoting local products. Another positive characteristic of our consortium is the fact that costs are limited, i.e. around a thousandth of a Euro per kg, so we generate value."

Contacts:
Origine Group soc. Consortile srl
Via dei Mille 24
40121 Bologna
Tel. +39 051 4210609
Fax. +39 051 4210549
Email: info@origine-group.com
Web: www.origine-group.com

Author: Cristiano Riciputi
Copyright: www.freshplaza.it